CNN Bringing More Axe Files to Television

CNN has announced that several episodes of The Axe Files, a popular podcast hosted by CNN senior political commentator and former Obama campaign chief strategist David Axelrod, will air on television this fall and winter. CNN has previously periodically aired episodes of The Axe Files, typically when there is a noteworthy guest. However, this is also different as CNN has announced air times for several episodes and their guests.

The Axe Files is an audio podcast that is co-sponsored by the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics (of which Axelrod is the director) and CNN. When the interview is televised, it is very much a podcast that happens to be airing on television.

CNN has announced that former White House chief of Staff James Baker will appear on tomorrow’s episode, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi in October, Tom Hanks in December, and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in January. However, those are not all the episodes the podcast will be airing as a CNN spokesperson says that he will continue to have podcasts that are not televised. Axelrod has been releasing three episodes a week recently.

A CNN spokesman did not confirm whether or not the television edition will have new episodes monthly, but TKNN will update if there is a response.

The episodes are also all airing on Saturday which is typically a slower day for television. However, the Axelrod’s interview with Senator John McCain in April provided a bump to CNN’s viewership compared to its lead-in.